Peter Hanan

Peter Sedgley Hanan (30 November 1915 – 15 September 2008) was a New Zealand swimmer who represented his country at the 1938 and 1950 British Empire Games.

Early life and family Born in Morrinsville on 30 November 1915, Hanan was the son of Frederick Arthur Hanan, a dentist and later a dairy farmer, and Ida Helen Hanan (née Dewes).

Hanan was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland, and trained as an accountant. He married Esma Elaine St George in 1946, He went on to win five New Zealand national swimming titles: the 100 yards freestyle in 1938 and 1940; and the 220 yards freestyle in three consecutive years from 1938.

Hanan represented New Zealand in the men's 110 yards freestyle at both the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney and the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland. On both occasions he did not progress beyond the heats.

Military service Enlisting in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1939, Hanan became a Spitfire and Hurricane pilot during World War II. promoted to flying officer in July 1942, and flight lieutenant in July 1943. He saw active service with Fighter Command in Britain and in the Far East, including with No. 67 Squadron RAF in Burma,

Later life and death Following World War II, Hanan purchased his family's dairy farm, and also finished his accountancy studies. When celebrations were held in 2008 to mark the centenary of the first meeting of the Morrinsville Town Board, Hanan, then aged 92, was recognised as the oldest person born in the town still resident there.